Fiona Dobie

A young Glenrothes actor is currently starring in a production of ‘Oliver!’ at Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre.

Alex Morrison (11), is taking on the title role in the Southern Light Opera Company’s production.

Rehearsals have been great fun and I’ve made lots of friends!

Alex Morrison

Boasting a cast of 120 children and 60 adults, with many more people working backstage, over 200 people are involved with this huge musical theatre production, the biggest amateur production of ‘Oliver!’ that Edinburgh has ever seen.

This is Alex’s first musical at the King’s, however it’s not his first time on the stage in the capital.

The talented youngster enjoyed his first big break last year when he was cast alongside Jason Donovan in a touring production of ‘Calamity Jane’, which came to the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Locally though, Alex is a regular performer with amateur theatre groups in Fife.

Taking a break from rehearsals, he said: “I can’t wait to get on stage at the King’s.

“Rehearsals have been great fun and I’ve made lots of friends!”

It was always anticipated that Southern Light’s production of Oliver! would be popular at the box office, but the latest figures exceed expectations, with over 5000 people booked to see the show.

Scott Walker, marketing manager for the company, said: “Just about everyone can hum ‘Food Glorious Food’, ‘Consider Yourself’ or ‘I’d Do Anything’ and here we are; people (young and old) performing with Edinburgh’s oldest theatre company in Edinburgh’s favourite theatre.

“Oliver! is timeless and appeals to people of all ages.”

The popular musical is based on Charles Dickens’ 1838 novel, with the show telling the story of the orphan who dared to ask for more gruel.

After running away from the workhouse, Oliver heads to London where he befriends the Artful Dodger and soon finds himself being trained to pick pockets for villainous Fagin.